In a case that has gripped the local community, a former employee of Lowe’s in Scranton has been convicted of first-degree murder. The trial revealed chilling details of a workplace tragedy that unfolded last year, leaving a family shattered and a community seeking answers.
Christopher Wasnetsky, age 36, was found guilty by a Lackawanna County jury for the murder of his colleague, Jeff Moeller, on June 14, 2025. The verdict was reached after four days of testimony, where the jury heard about the events leading to the tragic incident.
Following the decision, District Attorney Brian Gallagher expressed his thoughts on social media, describing the murder as “senseless” and noting that Wasnetsky “will spend the rest of his life in prison.”
The Charges and the Trial
The charges against Wasnetsky included both first- and third-degree murder. However, as District Attorney Gallagher clarified, once a first-degree murder conviction is secured, the jury does not consider the third-degree charge.
According to the arrest affidavit, Wasnetsky, a resident of Dalton, made a 911 call admitting to the shooting. “I would like to report a shooting at the … Lowe’s. I was the person that did it,” he reportedly said.
Surveillance footage from the store captured the moment Wasnetsky shot Moeller, who was 44 and originally from New Jersey. Wasnetsky claimed self-defense, citing months of harassment by Moeller. However, the affidavit detailed how Wasnetsky shot Moeller in the chest and then, as Moeller pleaded for help, fired two more shots to the head.
Defense attorney Joseph McGraw argued that Wasnetsky was not responsible for his actions due to mental health issues, including depression and schizoid disorder.
Prosecutorial Praise
Gallagher expressed gratitude to his legal team, specifically Chief Deputy District Attorney Sara Varela and Deputy District Attorney Christina Farrell, for their diligent work in the case. He also commended city Police Detective Michael Schultz for conducting a thorough investigation.
“From the beginning our focus was obtaining justice for Jeff Moeller and his family and that meant nothing short of first-degree murder,” Gallagher shared on Facebook. He acknowledged Moeller as a dedicated family man whose life was tragically cut short.
The Lawsuit Against Lowe’s
In the aftermath of the shooting, Jeff Moeller’s wife, Keisha, took legal action against Lowe’s, alleging negligence. Her lawsuit claims the retailer failed to address Wasnetsky’s escalating hostility, which ultimately led to the fatal encounter.
Attorneys Joel J. Feller and Scott S. Berger Jr., representing Keisha Moeller, released a statement asserting that the guilty verdict supports their case regarding Lowe’s awareness of the ongoing harassment. They emphasized that if Lowe’s had acted appropriately, the tragedy could have been prevented.
“Jeffrey had to endure unspeakable and unfounded targeted workplace harassment while simply trying to do his job,” they said. The attorneys criticized Lowe’s for not taking fundamental protective measures, which might have saved Moeller’s life.
A spokesperson for Lowe’s has declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
